Alison Rodericks

The five days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve are a strange, awkward, in-between time for everyone. Most places have closed shop for the summer, while others have new holiday hours that are tricky to wrap your head around. At this time of year, Sydney tends to feel more empty than usual as most locals make a mass exodus for elsewhere, but if you plan on sticking around and having a lovely summer holiday in a whole city that you're likely to get (probably, mostly) to yourself, we have put together a list for you of all the coolest things for you to do in town between Christmas Day and NYE. You're welcome.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: Want more culture? Check out our guide to the best art exhibitions and theatre and musicals on in Sydney this month. 

Contrary to contemporary yarns, there are still pubs and bars that host live music in Sydney. Many of them have successfully lashed back at the encroaching frontline of pokie machines.  We're all for it. So Time Out Sydney's writers – including pub-frother and Editor Alice Ellis, and resident booze-lover and Editor Avril Treasure, have rounded up a list of our fave bars and pubs that host live bands. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Hate the ding-ding of pokie machines? Here's a list of Sydney pubs without pokies. More into dancing to a DJ? Check our guide to the best clubs in Sydney.

It's ticking over to a shameful hour, and you've smoke-bombed from the party in search of sustenance. Is it fried chicken you're after, that fail-safe absorbent of sin and too many cocktails? Or maybe you've been working late, and you're looking to redeem a day of fluorescent-lit corporate drudgery with the perfect plate of spicy noodles? Time Out's Sydney's writers, including Food & Drink Editor (and fellow night owl) Avril Treasure, spend a lot of time out on the town at night – it's our job. So we know where to nab a decent late-night feed (when Macca's isn't it). We've rounded up the best spots where you'll find what you're craving, way up late. Most of the places on this list are open until around midnight or beyond (especially Thursdays to Saturdays). Still feeling snackish? Take yourself out to peruse our list of the very best cheap eats you can get in Sydney. RECOMMENDED: These are the best pizza restaurants in Sydney right now

Even though I am sweaty, I love this time of year. Frangipanis are in bloom, there's festive magic in the air, friends and family are out knocking back Spritzes, and the ocean just keeps getting better. Plus, the top-notch restaurant openings keep on coming. Below, I’ve rounded up the best new restaurants in Sydney, including The Grill, the luxe diner from the Shell House crew; the impressive (and huge!) Greek restaurant from The Apollo team called Olympus; and Island Radio, an affordable Southeast Asian noodle house in Redfern. Hungry? I am too. Let’s dig in. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Looking for something to wash it all down with? These are our favourite bars in Sydney right now. Keen to eat your way around the city? These are the best restaurants in Sydney, from hot newcomers to the OGs.

No two ways about it, Sydney's wine bar scene is flourishing. Full to the brim. Spilling over. A decade ago, there were only a handful of wine bars. Now? They're all over town. And we're here to happily drink them up. What's more, these slick haunts are also some of the best spots in Sydney to grab a nice dinner with friends.  It makes no difference whether you're a novice or an expert, fancy something natural or classic, old world or new, or whether you want to spend moderately or extravagantly, Time Out Sydney's writers, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have curated this list for every palate, at every price point. Bottoms up. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Can't get enough of that boozy stuff? Check out the absolute best bars in Sydney here.

Parramatta's CBD is now one of the biggest commercial hubs outside of the Sydney CBD. Along with this hustle and bustle has emerged a lively restaurant scene with cuisines from across the globe. So whether Parramatta is a detour, or your main destination, the buzzing suburb's excellent restaurants will have you stumped for choice. We've rounded up our favourites, to make the decision easier for you. Get cracking. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Looking for Indian, specifically? Here's our guide to the best Indian restaurants in Parramatta and Harris Park.  Or check out our guide to the very best restaurants across Sydney.

Summer 2024 update: Hey summer, we’re so glad you’re here. Whether you’re craving a B&E roll after an early ocean swim, a matcha during your morning walk, or a spot to relax on Sunday with hot coffee and buttery scrambled eggs, there’s a café here for you. Sydneysiders are café people. We're constantly on the hunt for the city's best coffee and we love nothing more than donning our finest sport-luxe activewear and catching up with mates on a weekend morning over eggs, fritters and crusty artisan sourdough. So, whether it's a reward for tackling one of Sydney's most beautiful walks, an indulgent hangover fix after a night at one of the city's best bars, or a workday coffee stop, these are the best Sydney cafés, according to our in-the-know Time Out Sydney writers, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure. We'll have one B&E roll, please.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Is it lunch time? Check out our guide to Sydney's best restaurants right now.

Summer 2024 update: Life is already expensive but it gets turned up a notch at this silly and joyous time of year. But the good news is that you don’t need to stay home every night and survive on frozen pizza, thanks to our city’s incredible cheap eats. The best bit? Often they rival any dishes you would find in a fancy fine diner. We’ve rounded up the top places with prices that won’t burn a hole in your wallet, including new Thai-Chinese eatery Ama, pasta palace Str’Eats Pasta Bar (with plates starting from $10) and our forever fave, Spicy Joint. Because life’s too short to eat sh*t food. Going out for a meal is sometimes a big occasion, worth the splurge. But it doesn't have to be that way. From banh mi to tonkotsu ramen, biang biang noodles to vegan burgers, and pretty much everything else in between, some of Sydney's greatest culinary hits are the cheapest. Time Out Sydney critics and local food writers, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have eaten their way around town to bring you this list, and while cheap isn't what it used to be, there are still lots of excellent affordable venues to check out. These are the ones well worth their salt. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Want to spend less at the big-ticket players? Check out our cheap fine-dining hacks.

From specialty Sichuan spots to hot Cantonese kitchens, Sydney has some seriously great Chinese restaurants. Time Out Sydney's critics, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have eaten their way around town to bring you this curated and up-to-date list. So whether you want to go all out and explore regional cuisines, sit down for yum cha, grab some takeaway barbecue duck or hand-thrown noodles, you'll find your spot here. These are the best Chinese restaurants Sydney has to offer – we're hungry just thinking about them. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.  Recommended: Here are the tastiest cheap eats in Sydney right now Check out the best Italian joints in Sydney town

Whether you want thick, creamy, red curries; soft, charry naan breads; oily, hot pickles; a fiery vindaloo; or a cooling lassi, there's an Indian restaurant primed to sort your spice cravings in Sydney. Time Out Sydney's writers, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure – who has spent weeks travelling from the palm-fringed beaches in Goa to the lush mountains in Darjeeling – have rounded up the best Indian restaurants in the city. We've got tropical flavours from the south and the earthy heat from northern fare, and, if you really want to go on a subcontinental adventure, head to Sydney's own little India in Harris Park. Want more food adventures? Check out our guide to the best Sydney restaurants. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. On a budget? Here are the best cheap eats in Sydney.

Filipino food is influenced by a variety of culinary cultures from around the world, taking cues from Chinese, Japanese and Spanish cuisine. But make no mistake, the dishes that are born and bred in the Philippines have a distinct deliciousness all their own. For example, there’s the famous adobo (meaning ‘marinade’ in Spanish), a dish of either chicken or pork, marinated in a mixture of soy sauce and vinegar. And then, of course, there’s halo halo (meaning ‘mixed together’ in Filipino), a cheeky dessert containing ice shavings, evaporated milk and trimmings like sweetened beans, coconut gel and ube ice cream. And don’t even get us started on crispy pata – a perfectly deep-fried pork leg, served with a soy-vinegar dipping sauce – or sinigang, a delicious sour broth of vegetables and meat of your choice. The list truly goes on and on... Lucky for you, we've shortened it to the best places to get your Filipino food fix in Sydney, curated by Time Out Sydney's critics and full-time eaters. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. On the hunt for a bargain? These are the best cheap eats in Sydney.

The Flying Spaghetti Monster has no birthday. Mawlid is either donezo or on the horizon. Hanukkah is a distant memory at this point, and the summer solstice is old news. Yep, it's December 25, and it's #NotMyChristmas. Without family obligations, what does one do on a day when almost everything is closed? Well, my non-Christian compatriot, follow us on a journey through an almost-abandoned city. Almost, but not quite... 

Sydneysiders on the Northern Beaches, rejoice! If you’ve been missing the OG Boathouse café in Palm Beach, you’ll be stoked to know that The Boathouse Palm Beach reopened on November 8, bringing its signature coastal charm back to the area. While it’s no longer in its former waterfront location, it has found a beaut new home in a 1920s beach shack at 1 Beach Road, which was previously a homewares-only store. After six months of renovations, the much-loved spot has been transformed into a refreshed café and homewares destination, blending its rich history with a modern, beachy vibe. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Boathouse Palm Beach (@theboathousepalmbeach) While the space now boasts a new roof, balcony, kitchen and bar, it retains its laid-back style. The relaxed interiors feature a 100-seater café serving breakfast and lunch to locals, with the menu crafted by The Boathouse Group’s head of culinary, Mark La Brooy. What’s for brekkie? Try the mango bircher with macadamia crunch; corn fritters with avocado salsa; or the crab scramble with sriracha and peanut crunch. The coffee is Single O and there’s a selection of smoothies to cool you down while you enjoy the ocean breeze on the balcony. When lunchtime rolls around, dive into coastal classics like kingfish tostadas; potato scallops with whipped roe; or stuffed zucchini flowers. In the mood for something heartier? Try their fish and chips; Wagyu beef burger; crab toast and more. An

Mark your calendars: celebrated chef Dan Hunter of Brae – the award-winning restaurant in regional Victoria – is teaming up with Danielle Alvarez for an exclusive four-night dining residency under the white sails this summer. Alvarez is the culinary director of the Sydney Opera House, a cookbook author (her Recipes for a Lifetime of Beautiful Cooking is one of our all-time faves), and the former head chef of dreamy Paddington diner, Fred’s. Excited? We are too. Called ‘Harvest of Purpose,’ the one-off event will take place in the stunning Yallamundi Rooms of the Sydney Opera House from January, 17-20 2025. If you’ve ever dreamt about dining at Brae, this is pretty damn close. Maybe even better. This dynamic duo is teaming up to showcase a six-course menu inspired by the chefs’ shared philosophy of sustainability and purpose-driven cuisine in Australia’s most iconic venue. Each dish will highlight local, ethically sourced, seasonal produce that celebrates the farmers, growers and landscapes that define our region. Set against the grid-worthy backdrop of Sydney Harbour, diners can enjoy a six-course meal for $450 per person, with the option to add organic, sustainably produced wine pairings by Handpicked Wines for $265 per person, or non-alcoholic pairings for $195 per person. Each guest will also receive a personalised gift, reflecting the event's ethos of sustainability and connection to the land. Renowned stylist Fiona Rae will transform the Yallamundi Rooms to reflect the n

Slick Japanese restaurant Oribu in Parramatta’s Heritage Precinct has not only scored itself three new head chefs – Jay Lee, Jaybert Teves and Bryan Paul Nery – but an all-new menu – Natsu no Yume  – that truly is a ‘summer’s dream’.  Chef Jaybert Teves (ex-Sokyo) is the sashimi maestro, chef Jay Lee (ex-Aria) brings fine-dining finesse, and chef Bryan Paul Nery spices things up with Southeast Asian vibes. In case you’re wondering, Oribu gets its name from the majestic olive tree front and centre of the indoor/outdoor restaurant, located on Church Street. Our hot tip? If you’re indulging in one of their set menus, go on a very empty stomach or wear stretchy pants. You have two options: the Oribu Signature Journey, and the more decadent Oribu Japanese Culinary Artistry, both of which take the greatest hits from the à la carte menu. The drinks menu features bold cocktails, like the punchy Wasabi Margin made with tequila, Cointreau, yuzu, fresh wasabi and cucumber. Back to the food. The Signature Journey tasting menu starts off with royal Miyagi oysters, mini sashimi, hiramasa kingfish carpaccio, ceviche, a crisp rice quartet, lotus chips and popcorn prawns – and that’s only the entreés. Every dish is a masterclass in plating and (almost) too pretty to eat. The more decadent Oribu Japanese Culinary Artistry takes things up a notch – think Oscietra black caviar on the oysters, and a choice between Hida A5 Wagyu or lobster tail for mains.  Prefer to mix and match? Oribu’s à la car

A while ago we told you about chef Chase Kojima and the plans he was hatching in Bankstown. Now, we can tell you that those plans have come to fruition with the opening of Tokyo Samba. Yes, the name says it all – it’s a Japanese-Brazilian restaurant that dares to be different. How so? Tokyo Samba’s food menu is halal-certified; its drinks menu is non-alcoholic. With a focus on shared plates, the menu blends the precision of Japanese techniques with the vibrant flavours of Brazil and Peru. At the heart of the kitchen is the Josper oven and grill, where premium cuts of meat and fish are seared to deliver bold, smoky flavours. Highlights include miso glacier 51 toothfish, lobster with kombu butter, and yakitori spatchcock. And because this is a Chase Kojima venue, you can expect top-notch sashimi and sushi, too. The alcohol-free drinks’ menu is curated to cater to the local community, offering non-alcoholic wines and mocktails that pair perfectly with the food on offer. Famed for his work at Sokyo at The Star and Nobu in The Bahamas, chef Kojima’s culinary résumé has spanned across restaurants in Las Vegas, Dubai and London. He’s joined by a stellar team, including head sushi chef Yul Kim (Sushi E and Bar Nine Omakase), sous chef Richard Ignatius Wijaya (Bennelong and Choji Yakiniku), and junior sous chef Kuan-Ting Lee (Attica and Oncore by Clare Smyth). With its inventive take and inclusive approach, Tokyo Samba promises a unique dining experience in the heart of Bankstown. St

✍️ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here. When people from South West Sydney crave “a succulent Chinese meal” (IYKYK!), they head to Beverly Hills and take their pick from the many Cantonese places dotting both sides of busy King Georges Road. It’s 6pm on a Sunday and we’re shown to our reserved table at Yummy Seafood Chinese Restaurant. But not before we take a peek at tank upon tank of lobsters, crabs, fish and abalone that might soon be dinner. Right from the get-go you realise that it’s a local favourite, with Chinese families soon filling up the spacious restaurant. Lazy Susans laden with crab in garlic butter, steamed whole fish, oodles of noodles and stir-fried Asian greens are spinning around in anticipation. The jasmine tea, piping hot and fragrant, is served with complimentary salted peanuts that we nibble on while we peruse the menus. Yes, plural. There’s a seasonal menu with chef suggestions ranging from pigeon to Peking duck, the regular menu with all your old-school Chinese favourites, and, we find out later, a separate Cantonese-only menu with offal, dried seafood and fermented foods. Chopsticks at the ready, we dig into the first dish: pipis in XO sauce, which can be ordered by weight. Our waiter suggests we order a serve of fried noodles to go with it and we agree. A Hong Kong creati

Not many can name former US President Barack Obama and actress Natalie Portman as celebrities you have fed. Chef Roberto Garcia can. He’s also worked at Saffire Freycinet in Tassie and as head chef at the award-winning Alpha restaurant. Lucky for us, he’s now launched his passion project with co-owner Umesh Datwani right here in Sydney. Say hola to San Pancho. This new venture is all about bringing Mexican street food to Sydneysiders at affordable prices. So if you’re longing for those tacos you ate in Tulum or dreaming of the molotes you munched on in Cozumel, you don’t need to book a plane ticket to Mexico – just head to Marrickville. Chef Garcia says: “San Pancho is a project close to my heart, which was probably born when I started helping out at my grandmother’s fonda [small tavern] in Mexico as a kid.” The menu at San Pancho veers away from the standard Tex-Mex fare we’ve grown weary of. Instead, there’s a range of street eats that Mexicans crave, featuring bold flavours and fresh ingredients. Try the chilaquiles, a distant cousin of nachos and the ultimate comfort food made with crisp tortilla chips topped with house-made salsa, cheese and your choice of asado chicken, arrachera beef, or the vegan option of baked tofu and capsicum for you plant-based folks. Hungry for more? Their arrachera beef taco gives you beer-marinated beef with a zesty splash of orange and oregano, topped with fresh guac and pico de gallo, all wrapped up in a warm corn tortilla. And let’s not for

When a place is called ‘Porkatroya’, you know it’s going to deliver a side serve of cheeky. After all, the name is a playful twist on the Italian phrase ‘porca troia’, which literally means ‘damn pig’, but in everyday slang, means ‘Holy sh!t’ or something worse – take our word for it, don’t ask any Italian nonnas. Located on Newtown’s bustling King Street, Porkatroya opened in April to introduce us to the deliciously Italian concepts of prosciutteria, aperitivo and apericena. Hospitality veterans Filippo L’Episcopo (formerly of Rockpool Bar & Grill) and Gabriele Barbanti (ex-Ventuno and Seta) have teamed up to give us a perfect spot to unwind with friends and family over good grub and fine wine. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Porkatroya Newtown (@porkatroyanewtown) A nod to Italy’s beloved aperitivo culture as well as Spanish tapas bars, Porkatroya serves up a range of salty snacks and top drops. Inspired by the small prosciutto shops found in regional Italy, Porkatroya is part deli, part wine bar and 100 per cent Italian hospitality. The menu includes their must-try charcuterie board for two, generously piled with hand-sliced premium meats, olives and pickles. You’ll also find rotisserie porchetta, hearty paninis, savoury bruschette and seasonal sides – the kind of things you want to enjoy over an hour or two with good conversation and cracking vino. Want more pork on your fork? Every Wednesday and Thursday night, Porkatroya has a porchett

Going strong for more than twenty years, Newtown’s famed live music venue, The Vanguard, is back. After a couple of months of renos, this Inner West icon relaunched under the new ownership of Beau Neilson, who has transformed venues like Chippendale’s Phoenix Central Park. She's stoked to inject new life into The Vanguard while staying true to its musical heritage. “My goal is to preserve the rich history of The Vanguard, while making it an even more inclusive, vibrant space where artists and audiences can connect,” says Neilson. She roped in renowned designer Michael Delany to reimagine the space. Every detail, from the bar to the bathrooms, has been given a facelift – we’re digging the fresh blood-red carpet and plush velvet curtains. The tech upgrades are also impressive. The Vanguard is now equipped with a state-of-the-art d&b Audiotechnik sound system, new lighting and an Epson projector, which sets the scene for upcoming live performances and Big, Fun Nights. The food offering will be on point too, thanks to The Vanguard’s new kitchen partner, Redfern restaurant Bush, which is known for spotlighting Aussie flavours. The menu champions native ingredients and sustainable dining. Think: red pepper roo tail, wild rabbit puff, and guac with finger lime and corn chips. The Vanguard’s doors reopened to the public on October 27 and now has a steady line-up of everything from live music and burlesque to comedy and more in the months to come. Tickets are live on their new website

A 21st birthday calls for a big celebration, don’t you think? De Vine Food & Wine, one of Sydney’s OG wine bars that harks back to 2003, has done just that with a multimillion-dollar revamp earlier this year. Now under the helm of restaurateur brothers Anthony and Julian Izzillo (formerly of Wildfire in Circular Quay), this classic wine bar has had a modern makeover. Located just around the corner from the QVB means that De Vine has always overflowed with office-goers unwinding after work. Long-time patrons need not fret – De Vine’s charm remains intact. Intimate lighting, exposed brick walls and polished floors all feel familiar. What’s new? An open-plan layout that now features a wine bar section that’s distinct to the dining area. New carpets, granite benchtops, beautiful brass fixtures, tinted mirrors and sumptuous green velvet banquettes lend the venue an air of sophistication. If you love your vino, you’re in for a treat. The wine bar features a collection of 500 wines curated by Julian, with a strong focus on Italian drops made with organic or biodynamic principles. A brass display showcasing 250 bottles of amaro (a bitter Italian herbal liqueur) is sure to catch your eye – the team says it’s the most comprehensive collection this side of the equator. Have it neat, or ask the bartender for an amaro-based cocktail (Negroni, we’re looking at you). The restaurant is run by head chef Timothy Fisher, formerly of Michelin-acclaimed Osteria Lucio, and stays true to its rustic

✍️ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here. People milling around carts on busy street corners for their chaat fix of pani puri and bhel; teens cutting class from college for their fill of samosas and pakoras; office-goers woofing down vada pav with a cutting chai before they catch their train; crowds at popular beaches snacking on pav bhaji and dosas. Mumbai, the commercial and cultural capital of India, is where street food comes into its own. It takes the best street eats from different regions of India and adds its own masala to the mix. Mumbai street food is cheap, quick and oh-so tasty. It’s also the ultimate equaliser, available to everyone from your daily wage labourers to your penthouse-living super rich. So, when the Indian diaspora in Sydney craves their street-food fix, they make their way to Sydney’s Little India: Harris Park. It’s lunch o’clock on a Sunday and we’re outside Chatkazz, a Mumbai street-food joint that’s held its own for more than a decade. You need to know three things before you go: Chatkazz doesn’t take reservations; it is vegetarian; it’s not licensed to serve alcohol. Trust us when we say that you won't be kept waiting for long despite how busy it seems; you won’t miss the meat; and there are plenty of interesting non-alcoholic drinks to try. We join the queue outside al

Kings Cross has just got a new neighbourhood joint. Remember where Dean’s Lounge used to be? It’s now home to a café, restaurant and bar all rolled into one. Say hello to Arms Length. Having the experience of running Bar Nina under their belt, the dynamic sister duo of Rebecca (former Rockpool Dining Group director) and Rosie O’Shea have just opened the day-to-night venue on Kellett Street – the same place you'll find Ezra and Bar Lucia – in early August. Rebecca said: “We’ve seen first-hand how food and drink can spark connections and bring people together. We can’t wait to bring this same energy to a new corner of Sydney!” The kitchen is in the good hands of head chef Keno Perlas (ex-Monopole, Margaret) and executive chef Jeffrey Sue (ex-Rockpool, Ormeggio, China Doll). They’ve crafted an Australian/Italian-inspired menu that’s a perfect mix of comforting and exciting. When it comes to versatility, Arms Length has got it in spades. While the daytime offering includes coffee and brekkie options, the main drawcard is the very affordable bottomless brunch. From 8am to 2pm every day of the week, you can take advantage of 90 minutes of free-flowing cocktails for $29 per person when you order a brunch main. How about their signature Garibaldi that’s made with Australian aperitif Rhubi and fresh orange juice to go with your freekeh salad or French toast? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Arms Length (@armslengthbar) As the sun goes down, Arms

✍️ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here. It’s bang on 12 o’clock on a Friday arvo and we’re the first customers to enter the newly-opened Comedor, a modern Mexican restaurant in Sydney’s Newtown. And after one visit we find out it’s big – in space and flavour; it’s bright – with natural light and clever ideas; and it’s beautiful – in its interiors and its inspired menu. Comedor means ‘dining room’ in Spanish, so it’s fitting that this restaurant, housed in a 100-year-old warehouse, has been beautifully transformed to welcome everyone to its communal tables. Our eyes are drawn to the lofty cathedral ceiling with exposed beams as we are seated by friendly waitstaff. A drink to start? Yes, please! The drinks menu features agave-based spirits like mezcal and tequila, wines and beers (cerveza). I order the Raicilla Fresca, a refreshing cocktail made with Raicilla Estancia tequila, strawberry and cucumber that tastes like summer, while my partner sips on a Negra Modelo (a dark Mexican lager). We sit back and watch the restaurant reach capacity in next to no time. Patrons are a mix of returning customers who are warmly welcomed and locals seeking something more than the stock standard Tex-Mex fare Sydneysiders have grown accustomed to. While we’re at the timber banquette seating, others are perched on stoo

Ping. Ping. Ping. That’s the sound of Sydney's Boxing Day sales as digital payments ring out across Aussie shopping centres – with hardly a note in sight. Tyro’s latest Big Time Business Report, which surveyed more than 500 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), revealed that 55 per cent of businesses are considering the idea of going cashless in 2025, partly to cut admin costs. Hospitality businesses like restaurants and bars, as well as retail businesses, are even more likely to go cashless than other industries. And 16 per cent of Australian businesses have already gone fully cashless in 2024, with hospo and retail leading the charge. “With almost 80% of payments in Australia made by card, and the cost benefit that comes with streamlining payment operations, it’s not surprising that more businesses are interested in going cashless,” says Tyro CEO, Jon Davey. Rising costs are putting the squeeze on profit margins – 48 per cent of small to medium enterprises (SMEs) surveyed for the report said they have hiked their prices in the last year to keep up with climbing supply costs. Some have absorbed the financial strain or switched suppliers to avoid passing the pain onto customers. As the saying goes, time is money. Financial admin is a big time suck for business owners who know they need to modernise how they do business to stay competitive.  RECOMMENDED: These are the best cheap eats in Sydney. No surprises here: consumers are feeling the pinch, too. They are getting increasing

Parramatta is packed with IT professionals, Lakemba has loads of taxi drivers, Epping is where accountants assemble, Mosman has a lot of legal eagles, Castle Hill is home to school principals, Bondi Beach is a hub for models – and plastic surgeons. Stereotyping, much? Not exactly. We’re referencing "occupation by suburb" statistics from the latest Census, as recently broken down by the SMH. The Sydney workforce has now climbed to almost three million people across its 562 suburbs. The most common job by sheer volume is the sales assistant – we have 89,000 of them in Greater Sydney, with Blacktown alone home to 932 of them. The second most popular occupation is general clerks (49,000) and, again, Blacktown is where a huge portion of them live. Coming in third is accountants (44,000), a big portion of whom reside in Epping.  It won't come as a surprise that suburbs with water views – e.g. Vaucluse, Mosman, Hunters Hill – have more CEOs than anywhere else. Mosman has 471 lawyers and a dozen judges among their working elite. It's also a hot spot for management consultants, HR managers and financial advisors. Lawyers also dwell across inner Sydney, with a strong presence in other waterside areas like Woolloomooloo and McMahons Point. Newtown and Stanmore also have a smattering of legal professionals due to the gentrification of these once-working class suburbs.  In less obvious news, medical professionals like to settle down in Strathfield; it's home to big portions of GPs, cardi

In October, plans were revealed to increase the housing capacity of Sydney Olympic Park by 479 per cent in the next 25 years. The future Olympic Park is still a way off, but recent progress has been made, as the two Metro tunnel boring machines (TBMs) have broken through at Sydney Olympic Park. The hardworking TBMs, named Beatrice and Daphne (cute), have excavated more than 2 million tonnes of material – enough to fill 316 Olympic swimming pools – over an 18-month period, carving out two 11-kilometre tunnels from The Bays in the Inner West to what will become a brand-new Metro station. (It will eventually join these existing Metro destinations.) This new part of Metro line will make living along this stretch – and in Olympic Park itself – more convenient to the rest of Sydney, and it will also mean the precinct will become a more thriving community itself. Photograph: Supplied | NSW Government The new Sydney Olympic Park precinct (given the tick of approval by the Department of Planning, Housing & Infrastructure) will feature three new residential buildings ranging from 21 to 45 storeys, and will include more than 300 new homes, with plans in the pipeline to increase this to 490 homes. The area will also be propped up with a mix of commercial and retail spaces, so it will not only be a liveable neighbourhood, but also a buzzing destination for sport, entertainment and events. “Sydney Olympic Park metro station will have sports and entertainment fans cheering when it provi

For those who weren't paying attention earlier this year, four Australian suburbs scored spots on Time Out’s annual list of the coolest neighbourhoods in the whole world. Sydney’s small yet spunky inner-city suburb of Chippendale ranked seventh, with Melbourne’s effortlessly cool Windsor in tenth. And for the first time ever, trendy suburbs in Perth and Adelaide also made the cut. Want to roll with the cool kids? Well, Domain has done the maths on what it’ll cost you to call these suburbs home. Take a squiz. Photograph: Cassandra Hannagan Chippendale, Sydney Ranked as the seventh coolest neighbourhood in the world, “Chippo” has transformed from an industrial area into a hip hub filled with creative spaces, boutique stores, trendy eateries and a community vibe. Given its young population of students (due to its proximity to UTS and Sydney Uni) and up-and-coming professionals, most of Chippendale's residents are renters.  The median weekly rent is $1,095 for a house or $820 for an apartment. The median unit price is $850,000, with studio apartments coming in relatively cheap – by Sydney standards – at around $500,000 to $600,000. Sounds like a lot, but – despite its proximity to the city, and the cool factor – it's a fair bit cheaper than nearby Surry Hills, where the median unit price is $70,000 more to buy.  Photograph: Mark Lobo Windsor, Melbourne This buzzing pocket in Melbourne's inner south is a go-to for curious foodies, thrift shoppers and art collectors, earning it

Earlier this year, Windsor was named as the tenth coolest neighbourhood in the world, on Time Out's annual global list – beating out buzzing 'burbs across New York, Paris, Berlin and Tokyo. This buzzing pocket in Melbourne's inner south is bound to become even more popular, and the real estate insiders over at Domain are onto this, having pulled together the data on how much it costs to live there. So if you're wondering how much living in Melbourne's coolest suburb would set you back, read on.  As the grungier sibling of Prahran and South Yarra, Windsor has been overlooked in the past – but not anymore. As you wander through its streets you can rummage through epic vintage stores (hello, Shag and Stupid Vintage), admire art in boutique galleries and soak up the hip vibes that lure in an eclectic crowd keen for a good time. A recent slew of hot new restaurant and bar openings have transformed the neighbourhood into a go-to for curious foodies, with venues championing everything from regional Nepali fare to sushi and saké with a twist.  So if you're keen to get amongst the cool vibes, Domain have crunched the numbers for you on how much you'll fork out. The median price for a house in Windsor is $1.505 million, while units have a median price of $525,000. This sits a bit above Melbourne's median house and unit prices, at $918,350 and $554,306 respectively. And when you consider that Melbourne's most affluent suburb Toorak (which has a median house price of around $4.7 millio

ICYMI, Chippendale this year ranked as the seventh coolest neighbourhood in the whole world, on Time Out's annual global list – edging out hip and happening suburbs across New York, Paris, London, Berlin and Tokyo. And, going by information from the real estate insiders over at Domain, more and more people want to call this suburb home. So, what sets this inner Sydney locale apart – and what will it cost you to live there? “Chippo”, as the locals call it, was once an industrial area. Today, it's evolved into a hip enclave filled with creative spaces, boutique stores, trendy eateries and a community vibe. As for its population, it's a mix of university students (due to its proximity to UTS and Sydney Uni), and young professionals looking to live close to the Sydney CBD. Photograph: Anna Kucera Given its young population of students and up-and-coming professionals, most of Chippendale's residents are renters. The median weekly rent is $1,095 for a house or $820 for an apartment. The median unit price is $850,000, with studio apartments coming in relatively cheap – by Sydney standards – at around $500,000 to $600,000. Sounds like a lot, but – despite its proximity to the city, and the cool factor – it's a fair bit cheaper than nearby Surry Hills, where the median unit price is $70,000 more to buy. In fact, data published early this year found that Chippendale is the eighth cheapest suburb within 10km of Sydney's CBD to buy in. You'd want to get in fast before everyone else. C

Ever wondered what it’d be like to play Squid Game for real? Now you can. Luna Park Sydney is teaming up with Netflix to bring you Squid Game: The Experience. Kicking off on 16 December under Luna Park’s iconic Big Top, you’ll get the chance to step into the intense world of the Netflix hit show and take on some of its infamous challenges.  Since its launch in 2021, the Netflix show Squid Game, set in a dystopian South Korean landscape, has become a global phenomenon, winning Emmys and dominating pop culture. Luna Park CEO John Hughes says he's excited about this collab with Netflix. "Teaming up to launch Squid Game: The Experience in Sydney's immersive Big Top exemplifies our commitment to bringing thrilling experiences to the Park. We can’t wait for our visitors to immerse themselves in Squid Game: The Experience, if they dare.” Think you can survive the real life version of “Red Light, Green Light”? And you’ll need a bit of luck to outwit Front Man who will test your skills and strategy in heart-pounding games – some familiar, others new, but all inspired by the hit Netflix series. The first rule? There can be only one winner. Whether you're going solo or in a group (up to 25 people – team-building, anyone?), it’s every player for themselves. You’ll accumulate points as you go, with a winner crowned at the end.  Once the games are done and dusted, you can refuel at the Korean Street Food Night Market. Squid Game: The Experience begins on December 16, 2024, and will be ope

If you look at real estate listings in Sydney’s Lower North Shore, chances are, the word ‘leafy’ will pop up time and again to describe the area. Yes, this parcel of prime real estate prides itself of being green, but a spate of illegal tree loppings has alarmed residents. You might recall that in beautiful Balmoral Beach, nine massive Port Jackson fig trees that line the esplanade were poisoned earlier this year, highly likely by residents hoping to gain better views of the beach. Thankfully, the trees seem to have survived this act of vandalism.  In Castle Cove – another sought-after suburb where multi-million-dollar mansions back onto bushland and offer water views – 265 trees were illegally killed last year alone, including native banksias and a 100-year-old angophora. While these crimes made headlines, locals remained alarmingly quiet.  Even after Willoughby Council put up a $10,000 reward for anyone who could help catch the culprits, locals shied away at pointing fingers at their neighbours. Lack of regulation means that illegal tree-lopping can run rampant. Clients who want a tree killed off can approach any number of unregistered tree loppers who do the job quickly – with poison, or slowly – with salty/chlorinated water. A telltale sign of tree poisoning is when the leaves start browning unnaturally.  While there are fines for tree vandalism of up to $3,000 for individuals and $6,000 for companies, they haven’t been much of a deterrent. Money seems to be no object wh

No, your mind is not playing tricks on you – Halloween is indeed getting bigger and bloodier in Sydney each year. Interest in everything spooky has been rising year on year for a while now, and that's why there's demand for the first-of-its-kind Ghost Festival, which is completely taking over The Rocks for four nights at the end of this month. Ghost Festival offers up a huge range of events for kids and adults alike. Something that the kids – and sweet-toothed adults among us – might want to get around is the biggest ever trick or treat event in Australia ever. Yep, the sweetest highlight of the Ghost Festival will be Allen’s Giant Trick or Treat experience. Australia’s iconic lolly brand is dialling up the trick-or-treating action on the weekend after Halloween – Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3. It will be like the sweetest treasure hunt, in which a map will lead trick-or-treaters through six iconic Rocks spots to collect Killer Pythons and more. The first 10,000 participants who choose to accept the mission will go lolly hunting through the haunted laneways of The Rocks, where participating venues will open their doors to offer sweet surprises. It's time to start preparing your freakiest costumes and gathering your ghouls. You don't have to be a night owl to take part – participants can choose to take part day or evening. The experience will run from 10am to 8pm.  Important to note: It's free to take part in the Giant Trick or Treat, but there's a limit of 5,00

If you’re a regular Sydney train commuter and you rely on the regularity of those trains, mark your calendars for this Sunday, October 20 (we're looking at you, HSC exam students). Sydney Trains are making the first major changes to the timetable since 2017. Why the changes? It all comes down to the recent launch of the new Sydney Metro as well as changes in how and when people commute, post-Covid. “These adjustments to the timetable are focused on making our trains more reliable and resilient so passengers have shorter wait times," says NSW Transport Minister, Jo Haylen. "We know that when there’s an incident on one part of the train network it can often affect other train services, too. Making our timetable simpler means there’s less chance of that happening.” Here’s a summary of the key changes to Sydney train timetables, line by line: T1 Western LineStopping patterns will be "simplified" to boost reliability, with extra services for some stations west of Parramatta. Rooty Hill and Doonside will see more trains during the busiest morning peak hours. T1 North Shore LineWith the new Metro (M1 North West & Bankstown Line) running every four minutes during peak hours, there’s a reduced demand for trains at the Chatswood interchange. Train services will be adjusted during peak and off-peak times. T1 North Shore Line passengers will still be able to board a train every 3-5 minutes. T2 Leppington & Inner West LineThe T2 will continue connecting Leppington and Parramatta to the S

Daylight savings, it's a love-hate thing. For sun-loving revellers and barbecue fanatics, the turning of the clocks forward marks the beginning of the best time of year. But it's a big bone of contention – NSW farmers want to nix the time change. The recent changing of the clocks has sparked fresh debate, and farmers have been particularly vocal on it this year – after New South Wales Farmers Association members attended a conference this year, they're mounting a big campaign to change the status quo. The group raised a number of arguments – and no, not that it fades the curtains or makes the cows unhappy. Their key argument is that daylight saving negatively impacts people’s health. According to some experts, including Shanthakumar Rajaratnam, a professor of sleep and circadian medicine at Monash University, switching the body's circadian rhythm can actually have some long-term health implications like depression, anxiety, stress and burnout. “There is a worldwide movement now looking at whether daylight saving should be discontinued on the basis of its health effects," he told the ABC. "Certain kinds of heart disease, diabetes, certain kinds of cancer and reproductive disorders are all linked to disturbance of sleep.” The Association also argues the switch to daylight saving in early October has negative impacts on plenty of families' quality of life – having to get the family up in the dark of the morning can affect moods and make them feel like they had little energy for

If you're a fan of immersive experiences like Van Gogh Alive and light festivals like Vivid Sydney, you'll love this new immersive experience at Luna Park Sydney, called Lite Brite: Worlds of Wonder. After enchanting audiences in Toronto and Las Vegas (both adults and kids), it’s now on in Sydney, in Luna Park’s Big Top.  Visitors take a 40-minute journey through three light-filled worlds: dive deep into a magical ocean; wander through lush forests where dinosaurs still roam; and explore a futuristic sci-fi city. ‘Lite-Brite: Worlds of Wonder’ is inspired by the iconic Lite-Brite toy from the olden days. Every visual element of the experience is powered by the distinctive hexagonal peg pattern and vibrant colours from the six original Lite-Brite pegs: orange, pink, green, blue, yellow and clear. “Audiences today are seeking immersive adventures that spark their imagination and offer a true escape, and ‘Lite-Brite: Worlds of Wonder’ delivers just that,” says John Hughes, CEO of Luna Park Sydney. Supplied: Luna Park Sydney | Lite-Brite: Worlds of Wonder Ryan Andal from Secret Location, who helped create the experience, adds, “Lite-Brite has been sparking creativity and wonder for decades. With ‘Lite-Brite: Worlds of Wonder’, we aimed to recreate that magic on a grand scale, allowing audiences to step inside the toy's enchanted world.” That said, you don't need to have had a Lite-Brite toy to get lost in this enchanted world. Lite-Brite: Worlds of Wonder is on at Luna Park